Photo courtesy of Marriane Halavage
Today my fellow aspiring journalist friend Marriane Halavage and I went to The House of Commons to sit in on a debate about assisted dying.
Debbie Purdy, multiple-sclerosis sufferer who has recently been in the public eye due to her court procedures regarding assisted suicide, was present and sitting in the front row of the public gallery.
She did not however take part in the debate, and was assisted at all times by the MD of 'Diginity in Dying'.
Many different opinions were expressed and well argued throughout the debate.
Interestingly members from the same political parties strongly disagreed with each other.
My stance on assisted suicide remained the same after listening to the debate, if not actually making it even stronger.
My student-journo friend Marianne also stuck to her view on the subject although interestingly we both had completely different opinions on the matter.
Assisted Dying - Do you agree or disagree?
My gut instinct on somebody helping or assisting their loved one in killing themselves is an automatic 'no'.
Firstly, I don't agree that you should drag your loved ones into a sorry mess like this. Surely it would just impinge on their mental health once you have gone.
Also, in today's day and age there is plenty one can do if you are literally losing the will to live, even if you are disabled or terminally ill.
Going to death clinics such as 'Dignitias' in Switzerland, which is where Debbie Purdy plans to go, does not need to become a popular option and hopefully never will.
During the debate, Brian Idon from ‘Care not Killing’ quoted that 1 out 6 people who have been given lethal drugs by their doctors were suffering from undiagnosed depression.
Idon also quoted Lord Carlyle, who said that we fear being a burden to others when we are terminally ill or disabled.
He was not the only one to comment that the organisation Voluntary Euthanasia’ prey on this fear through rhetoric by changing their name to ‘Dignity in Dying’.
The name Dignity in Dying suggests euthansia is a dignified and even brave way to go. However, commiting suicide should not be applauded as brave and courageous.
Mary Wakefield from The Spectator has written a great, short and concise blog on this subject and I must say that I completely agree with all that she says. You can see her blog here.
Please see my next blog for a formal review of one Tory MP's arguement in the debate.
Many different opinions were expressed and well argued throughout the debate.
Interestingly members from the same political parties strongly disagreed with each other.
My stance on assisted suicide remained the same after listening to the debate, if not actually making it even stronger.
My student-journo friend Marianne also stuck to her view on the subject although interestingly we both had completely different opinions on the matter.
Assisted Dying - Do you agree or disagree?
My gut instinct on somebody helping or assisting their loved one in killing themselves is an automatic 'no'.
Firstly, I don't agree that you should drag your loved ones into a sorry mess like this. Surely it would just impinge on their mental health once you have gone.
Also, in today's day and age there is plenty one can do if you are literally losing the will to live, even if you are disabled or terminally ill.
Going to death clinics such as 'Dignitias' in Switzerland, which is where Debbie Purdy plans to go, does not need to become a popular option and hopefully never will.
During the debate, Brian Idon from ‘Care not Killing’ quoted that 1 out 6 people who have been given lethal drugs by their doctors were suffering from undiagnosed depression.
Idon also quoted Lord Carlyle, who said that we fear being a burden to others when we are terminally ill or disabled.
He was not the only one to comment that the organisation Voluntary Euthanasia’ prey on this fear through rhetoric by changing their name to ‘Dignity in Dying’.
The name Dignity in Dying suggests euthansia is a dignified and even brave way to go. However, commiting suicide should not be applauded as brave and courageous.
Mary Wakefield from The Spectator has written a great, short and concise blog on this subject and I must say that I completely agree with all that she says. You can see her blog here.
Please see my next blog for a formal review of one Tory MP's arguement in the debate.
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